Coyle told the Chronicle: “When all is said and done Grant Hanley is a player who is under contract at Blackburn Rovers. I know the way the world works when agents get to work and such forth.

“But all I would say is Grant Hanley’s our captain and we don’t want to lose him. I totally understand why Newcastle covet him but, as I said before, and I’ll repeat it, in my opinion they are nowhere near the valuation which I consider Grant Hanley to be.”

Hanley, 24, still has two years left on his contract at Blackburn, for whom he has made more than 200 appearances for.

With Newcastle preparing for a Championship season it appears boss Rafa Benitez feels Hanley could provide some much needed leadership to the squad, after they slumped to a disappointing relegation from the Premier League.

The Toon conceded 65 goals last term as they were relegated into the second tier of English football for the second time in seven years.

The former Real Madrid manager is keen to add another centre-back to his squad after releasing Steven Taylor and losing club captain Fabrizio Coloccini to Argentinian side San Lorenzo.

Benitez has already completed the signings of defensive duo Matz Sels and Jesus Gamez this summer, as well as Isaac Hayden, Matt Ritchie and Dwight Gayle further up the pitch.

They have been by far the biggest spenders in the league so far this summer having spent a reported £27.million on those five players.